Daniel Christian Hulea, NetWalker Ransomware Attacks, Florida 2024

Tampa, FL – A Romanian national has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the NetWalker ransomware attacks, resulting in the payment of millions of dollars in ransoms. Daniel Christian Hulea, 30, of Jucu de Mijloc, Cluj, Romania, pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Florida to computer fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy on June 20.

According to court documents, Hulea admitted to participating in a conspiracy to use a sophisticated form of ransomware known as NetWalker. NetWalker ransomware has been used to target hundreds of victims all over the world, including companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges, and universities. NetWalker attacks specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.

As part of his plea agreement, Hulea admitted to using NetWalker to obtain approximately 1,595 bitcoin in ransom payments for himself and a co-conspirator, valued at approximately $21,500,000 at the time of the payments. The defendant was also ordered to forfeit $21,500,000 and his interests in an Indonesian limited liability company and associated luxury resort property under construction in Bali, Indonesia.

Hulea was arrested by Romanian law enforcement officers in Cluj on July 11, 2023, pursuant to a request submitted by U.S. authorities. He was subsequently extradited to the United States pursuant to the extradition treaty between the United States and Romania.

The FBI Tampa Field Office investigated the case, with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs providing valuable assistance in securing Hulea’s arrest and extradition. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Hulea from Romania to the United States.

Hulea was also ordered to pay $14,991,580.01 in restitution as part of his sentence.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida; and Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Fodor of the FBI Tampa Field Office made the announcement.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Fodor made the announcement.

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